Check carrier

ABSTRACT

The check carrier consists of an envelope of translucent material that is dimensioned to closely conform to the dimensions of a standard check. The back of the check carrier includes an endorsement window through which a bank or other financial institution can apply its endorsement stamp directly to the check. The bottom of the check carrier may be provided with an area for receiving the MICR printing such that the MICR can be read directly off of the carrier. The MICR area can be removed. The open end of the check carrier can be sealed closed using a repositionable adhesive. The adhesive can also be used interior of the check carrier such that the adhesive contacts the check to fix the check within the carrier.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/739,303, filed Apr. 24, 2007, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/307,668, filed Feb. 16, 2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,975, the contents of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/739,303 and 11/307,668 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to check handling systems and more particularly to an improved check carrier for use in such systems.

It will be appreciated that millions of checks, both commercial and retail, are presented to financial institutions for posting and debiting every day. Each of these checks must be processed by the receiving financial institution and presented to a clearing bank with some checks processed by multiple institutions. Because of the volume of checks handled every day, the processing of checks is typically automated where high speed sorters automatically, read, sort and process the checks based on the MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) code printed on the bottom of the checks. A typical sorter will process 2,500 checks per minute.

Moreover, the Check Truncation Act (Check 21), intended to minimize the disruption of the nation's check collection and forwarding process by eliminating the national check clearing system that relies on paper-processing and physical transport, allows financial institutions to generate substitute image checks, or image replacement documents (IRD's), that have the same legal status as an original check. The IRD's can be sent as images between financial institutions and are treated the same as the original paper document. Again because of the high volume of checks processed each day, checks are scanned in high speed automated scanning equipment to create the IRD's.

Different institutions and different processes may utilize paper documents, IRD's or both. Even when paper documents are physically transferred they must be convertible into IRD's because the receiving institution may want to store the document as an IRD or transfer the document as an IRD to another institution for further processing. Because financial institutions require that checks be scanned into IRD's and/or processed as paper documents, virtually all checks are at some point scanned, processed and/or sorted by a high speed automated process.

When a check is damaged from tearing, folding or the like, the structural integrity of the check may be such that it cannot be put through the automated sorting and scanning equipment. To facilitate the automated processing of damaged checks, check carriers have been developed that hold the check for processing. Known check carriers do not securely retain the check. As a result checks can become separated from the carriers resulting in loss of the check or delay in processing. Additionally, current check carriers do not meet the image quality requirements set forth by the Federal Reserve. As a result financial institutions have been required to forward items in check carriers on a separate cash letter causing additional processing delays. Moreover, known check carriers do not reliably retain the check in a manner where the check can be automatically scanned, sorted and processed while in the carrier. Since existing check carriers do not provide an acceptable image of the front and back of the item, particularly an image of the financial institution's endorsement on the back of the item, financial institutions run the risk of financial loss and additional fees because of the inability to present a clear substitute IRD for clearing.

Thus an improved check carrier that securely retains the check in a manner where it can be easily and accurately scanned, to provide an acceptable image quality and be processed and sorted by automated equipment, is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example embodiment of the check carrier of the invention consists of an envelope of transparent material that is dimensioned to closely conform to the dimensions of a standard check. Because checks typically come in a standard commercial size and a different standard retail size, it is contemplated that multiple sized carriers may be used, each dimensioned to be used with a particular size check. The back of the check carrier may include an endorsement window through which a bank or other financial institution can apply its endorsement stamp directly to the check. In one embodiment, the endorsement window is covered by a removable cover that is removed if an endorsement stamp needs to be applied to the check. The bottom of the check carrier may be provided with an area for receiving the MICR printing such that the MICR can be read directly off of the carrier. In one embodiment, the area for receiving the MICR is removable from the body of the check carrier. The open end of the check carrier is sealed by a reuseable closure mechanism such as a repositionable adhesive. The adhesive can also be used interior of the check carrier such that the adhesive contacts the check to fix the check within the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the check carrier of the invention with a check inserted.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the check carrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the check carrier of FIG. 1 with the check removed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the check carrier of the invention with a check inserted.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the check carrier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the check carrier of FIG. 4 with the check removed.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the check carrier of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the check carrier of the invention is shown generally at 1 and consists of a translucent envelope consisting of a translucent front panel 2 and a translucent back panel 4 joined together along bottom edge 6 and side edges 8 and 10 to define an interior space 12 for receiving the check 14. While in the illustrated embodiment the front and back panels are translucent, it will be appreciated that the panels could have opaque portions and or be transparent. An opening 16 is created between the top edges of the front panel 2 and back panel 4 so that the check 14 can be inserted into the interior space 12. It is to be understood that while opening 16 is located at the top of the check carrier, opening 16 could be located along one of side edges 8 or 10 or along bottom edge 6.

At the bottom edge 6 the front panel 2 and back panel 4 are joined by adhesive, sonic welding or the like to create a flat MICR area 18 that can receive the MICR printing 20. MICR area 18 could also be created during the extrusion process for the front and back panels. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, and is used to describe the special numbers and symbols found at the bottom of checks, and the technology and processes to produce and analyze these characters. In order to sort checks the MICR must be accessible to the character recognition equipment. Therefore, if a check is to be sorted while in the check carrier, the MICR printing from that check is duplicated on the MICR area 18 of check carrier 1. This allows the check carrier to be read as if it was the actual paper check.

The interior 12 of check carrier 1 is dimensioned to closely receive a standard size check, such that movement of the check 14 within the carrier is limited. Because checks come in at least two standard sizes, retail and commercial, it is contemplated that the check carrier 1 will be come in various sizes where the interior size and shape of the carrier corresponds to the size and shape of the check to be carried. In one embodiment the length and width of the interior 12 are approximately 8.75 inches by 3.75 inches for standard-size business checks and 6.25 inches by 3.0 inches for personal checks.

The front panel 2 may be made of a non-shiny, translucent paper-plastic blend of sturdy construction. The back panel may be made of non-shiny, translucent paper blend similar to tissue paper. Both the front panel and back panel may be porous so as to be able to absorb ink such as for the MICR printing. The use of translucent material for both the front and back of the check carrier allows the automated scanning, sorting and processing equipment to optically access the front and back of the check. The terms “optically access” and “optically accessible” are used to encompass any process where the check is scanned or processed based on a process that relies on light or vision. Other material may be used provided that the material is translucent or transparent and the check carrier is rigid enough to support a check but thin and flexible enough that it can be processed by the sorting and scanning equipment typically used by financial institutions.

A closure mechanism is used for releasably sealing opening 16. In one embodiment the closure mechanism comprises repositionable adhesive 20 such as tacky elastomeric microspheres located along the length thereof for sealing the carrier closed after the check is placed therein. Repositionable adhesives are designed to be reuseable such that the mating surfaces can be repeatedly adhered together and separated. It will be appreciated that the adhesive could also be placed on the front panel. Other closure mechanisms such as a zip lock could also be used provided that opening 16 can be repeatedly closed and reopened. In one embodiment, the repositionable adhesive 20 is placed on the inside surface of either one or both of the front and rear panels such that the adhesive is in contact with check 14 when the check is placed in the carrier. The repositionable adhesive 20 serves to maintain the check in position relative to the carrier but allows the check 14 to be removed from the carrier if desired and thus causes the check and carrier to blend into one document.

The back panel 4 includes a window 26 formed therein that allows access to the back of the check. Window 26 allows a financial institution to place its endorsement stamp directly on check 14 without removing the check from the carrier. A peel off cover 28 having thumb tab 30 is provided to cover window 26 when not in use. In one embodiment cover 28 is releaseably secured to the back panel using repositionable adhesive at area 31.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the check carrier 40 is described and includes a front panel 42 secured to back panel 44 along the bottom edge 46 and side edges 47 and 48 to create an interior space 50 as previously described. Back panel 44 is made slightly longer than front panel 46 such that an extended portion 52 of back panel 44 extends beyond the free edge of front panel 42 at opening 54. The extended portion 52 of back panel 44 facilitates the insertion of check 56 into the carrier. Opening 54 is closed after check 56 is inserted into carrier 40 using a closure mechanism such as repositionable adhesive applied at area 58 located along back panel 44. Other closing mechanisms could also be used as previously described. A window 64 is provided on the back panel 44 to allow access to the back of check 56 for endorsement stamps or as otherwise required by the financial institution.

As previously described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the front panel 42 and back panel 44 may be made of a thin, translucent material such that both the front and back of the check 56 may be scanned, sorted and processed using the financial institution's automated equipment. Carrier 40 includes a MICR area 60 for MICR printing as previously described. MICR area 60 is connected to the body of the check carrier at perforated line 62. Perforated line 62 allows the MICR area 60 to be easily separated from the check carrier if there is no need for the external MICR printing. The perforated line could be replaced by a score line or other weakened structure that would allow the MICR area 60 to be easily manually removed from the body of the check carrier. Removal of the MICR area 60 creates a check carrier 40 that is closer in external dimensions to the standard size check. Using a check carrier that is substantially the same dimensions as a standard check may facilitate the automatic scanning of the check on some apparatuses because the check is better aligned with respect to the check scanning equipment.

The operation of the check carrier of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When a damaged check is identified, it is placed into a check carrier that has an interior space that is dimensioned to closely receive the check, block 701. The opening is sealed using repositionable adhesive or some other releasable closure mechanism such that the check is retained within the carrier, block 702. The repositionable adhesive may be disposed on either the front or back panel so as to contact the check to fix the position of the check relative to the check carrier. The check can be accessed through the provided window for endorsement stamping or other treatment, block 703. MICR printing can be applied to the MICR area of the front panel if desired, block 704. If no MICR printing is used, the MICR area can be separated from the carrier at the perforations, block 705. Once the check is placed into the carrier, the carrier can be processed through the system just like a paper check where the check is optically accessed through either or both the front and back panels for scanning or sorting purposes or the like, block 706. The use of the carrier of the invention ensures that the check will not be lost and that it can be scanned and sorted in high speed automated equipment.

While embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A check carrier for securing a check in a manner such that the check can be processed by automated processing equipment configured to perform image processing while the check is in the check carrier, the check carrier comprising: a front panel and a back panel defining a space therebetween for receiving a check, wherein there is MICR printing on the check; and a removable area for receiving MICR printing located along a bottom edge of the front and back panels, the removable area for receiving MICR printing being releasably connected to and of a same material as at least one the front and back panels of the check carrier along a line of connection through at least one of the front panel or back panel such that the removable area for receiving MICR printing is manually removable from the check carrier while the check is able to be secured in the space between the front panel and the back panel; wherein the at least one of the front panel or the back panel is structurally weakened along the line of connection; and wherein the check carrier is configured such that the automated processing equipment may image the removable area for receiving MICR printing when the removable area for receiving MICR printing is connected to the check carrier and the automated processing equipment may directly image the MICR printing on the check when the removable area for receiving MICR printing is removed from the check carrier.
 2. The check carrier according to claim 1, wherein the check carrier and the removable area for receiving MICR printing are sized such that an external dimension of the check carrier is substantially equal to a length or a width of the check when the removable area for receiving MICR printing is removed and such that the check carrier is able to be aligned with the automated processing equipment.
 3. The check carrier of claim 1, further comprising: perforation along said line of connection through at least one of the front panel or back panel for releasably attaching the removable area for receiving MICR printing to the check carrier such that the removable area for receiving MICR printing is manually removable from the check carrier while the check is able to be enclosed in the space.
 4. The check carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a closure mechanism for enclosing the check in the space between the front panel and the back panel.
 5. The check carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a window formed in the back panel for allowing access to a back of the check.
 6. The check carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a repositionable adhesive that is adhered to the check and to the check carrier so as to secure the check inside of the check carrier.
 7. The check carrier according to claim 6, wherein the repositionable adhesive is adhered to an inside surface of the front panel or the back panel.
 8. The check carrier according to claim 7, wherein the repositionable adhesive secures the check in the check carrier by adhering directly to the check and thereby adhering the check to the inside surface of at least one of the front panel and the back panel.
 9. The check carrier according to claim 6, wherein the repositionable adhesive is configured to be repositionable such that the repositionable adhesive can be adhered anywhere on the inside surface of at least one of the front panel and the back panel so as to accommodate various sizes of checks.
 10. A check carrier for securing a check having a front and a back in a manner such that the check can be processed by automated processing equipment configured to perform image processing while the check is in the check carrier, the check carrier comprising: a front panel and a back panel defining a space therebetween for receiving a check, wherein there is printing on the check; an opening allowing access to the space between the front panel and the back panel; the back panel being slightly longer than the front panel such that an extended portion of the back panel extends beyond a free edge of the front panel at the opening; the extended portion of the back panel facilitates the insertion of the check into space between the front panel and the back panel; and a removable area for receiving machine-applied, printed information about the check located along a bottom edge of the front and back panels, the removable area for receiving machine-applied, printed information about the check being releasably connected to and of a same material as at least one of the front and back panels of the check carrier along a line of connection through at least one of the front panel or back panel such that the removable area for receiving machine-applied printed information about the check is manually removable from the check carrier while the check is able to be enclosed in the space between the front panel and the back panel; wherein the at least one of the front panel or the back panel is structurally weakened along the line of connection and; wherein the check carrier is configured such that the automated processing equipment may image the removable area for receiving machine-applied printed information about the check when the removable area for receiving machine-applied printed information about the check is connected to the check carrier and the automated processing equipment may directly image the printing on the check when the removable area for receiving machine-applied printed information about the check is removed from the check carrier.
 11. The check carrier of claim 10, further comprising: a repositionable adhesive adhered to the check and to the check carrier so as to secure the check inside of the check carrier.
 12. The check carrier of claim 10, further comprising: a closure mechanism for enclosing the check in the space between the front panel and the back panel.
 13. The check carrier of claim 10, further comprising: a window formed in the back of the check carrier for allowing access to the back of the check.
 14. The check carrier of claim 10, further comprising perforation along said line of connection through at least one of the front panel or back panel for releasably attaching the removable area for receiving information about the check to the check carrier such that the removable area for receiving information about the check is manually removable from the check carrier while the check is able to be enclosed in the space.
 15. The check carrier of claim 10, wherein the information about the check is MICR printing.
 16. A method of using a check carrier to secure a check in a manner such that the check can be processed by automated processing equipment configured to perform image processing while the check is in the check carrier, the method comprising: providing the check carrier having a front panel and a back panel and an interior space between the front and the back panels for receiving the check; providing a removable area of the check carrier that is configured for receiving MICR printing located along a bottom edge of the front and back panels, wherein the removable area of the check carrier that is configured for receiving MICR printing is manually removable from the check carrier along a line of connection through at least one of the front panel or back panel while the check is able to be enclosed in the interior space between the front and the back panels of the check carrier, wherein the removable area of the check carrier is connected to and of a same material as at least one of the front and back panels; inserting the check into the space between the front and the back panels of the check carrier, wherein the check has a weakened structural integrity and cannot be processed by the automated processing equipment without first being inserted into the check carrier; determining that MICR printing is not needed on the removable area of the check carrier that is configured for receiving MICR printing; upon determining that MICR printing is not needed, removing said removable area from the check carrier processing the check carrier by the automated processing equipment; and processing the check carrier by said automated processing equipment so that said automated processing equipment images the check inside the check carrier.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein removing the removable area of the check carrier that is configured for receiving MICR printing makes an external dimension of the check carrier substantially equal to a length or a width of the check.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: enclosing the check in the space between the front and the back of the check carrier.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: sending the check carrier and the check to the automated processing equipment. 